Trojans suffer tough loss at Homecoming game

CVHS football suffered a defeat in the homecoming game against Redwood, 34-21, on Sept. 19. 

The Trojans had initially started off great. In fact, Redwood started with the ball and made a short drive before fumbling when linebacker Jacob Loy took it for what seemed like a touchdown. But after a pause, the refs determined he stepped out of bounds and placed the ball near the Redwood 10-yard line. 

Just as soon as it felt like the Trojans had the advantage, it was lost after a first snap fumble was recovered by Redwood. Luckily, Redwood would punt this drive, and the Trojans would retake possession. 

Spirits were high after Rilen Ramirez’s nearly 50-yard rush to put the Trojans back into the red zone. Spirits were even higher after Ezra Segundo ran it in from the one for a touchdown to put the Trojans up 7-0.

After another short drive by Redwood, their quarterback, Tommy Vasquez, threw an interception to Christian Coleman who ran it back more than half the field for a pick-six return touchdown to bring the score to 14-0.

“The offense trapped him in a screen play. I saw the quarterback looking my way, the ball bounced, I made the play,” said Coleman on how he was able to make the play.

The momentum ran a bit thinner after Redwood had 14 unanswered before halftime to make the score tied at 14-14. However spirits remained high for the Trojans.

The third and early fourth quarters, however, were more of the same from Redwood with two touchdowns and two field goals for 20 unanswered bringing the score to 34-14, Giants. 

Tides started shifting back when the Trojans drove through the field and Segundo went back and caught his second touchdown, this time for 10 yards, bringing the score to 34-21 Giants. 

The Trojans attempted an onside kick which unfortunately failed. They managed a stop however in the haste to get a subsequent touchdown, an interception was thrown and the game was over.

“You know we at the end of the day I thought the game plan was solid. We turned the ball over twice which has been a hard spot in the season. If we can limit our turnovers we can change our season,” said coach John Trotman Jr. 

And while obviously turning the ball over isn’t great for the team, it was the largest issue in the game.

The Trojans have a great team culture, crediting their teammates more than themselves. “My teammates did good executing for me to make those plays,” said Segundo about his two-touchdown performance.

Because the team knows what they need to fix and genuinely believe in their fellow players, the team can make it as far as it can carry itself at the end of the day.